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Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday January 10, 2023

Jan 10, 2023 | 11:56 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) is remembering a tireless advocate for the industry who passed away recently.

Harold Martens served on the SCA board, on behalf of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) for over six years. He represented the SCA on several boards, including the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan.

SCA Chair Arnold Balicki said Martens was a staunch defender of Saskatchewan’s cattle producers.

“His extensive knowledge provided important contributions to the conversation around the current and future state of our industry,” Balicki said.

Martens was reeve of the R.M. of Excelsior, agriculture minister in the Devine government, and served as deputy opposition leader.

He retired from politics to return to ranching, and later served as president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers from 2011 to 2014.

Martens was 81.

Jennifer Wright has been named the new executive director of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC).

Wright has worked with the CAHRC as a consultant for more than 10 years and joined the organization as a staff member in 2019. In April 2021, she was appointed to the role of acting executive director.

In addition to her work experience, Wright holds a master of business administration from Royal Roads University.

CAHRC chair Paul Glenn said Wright’s strategic leadership experience combined with her roots in agriculture will support the Canadian agriculture industry through current and future workforce needs.

“Her extensive background in workforce development, stakeholder engagement and human resource management will benefit the organization and the Canadian agriculture industry,” Glenn said.

Wright steps into the role that was previously held by Portia MacDonald-Dewhirst, who served as CAHRC’s executive director for 10 years prior to her passing in July 2022.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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